Congress mocks BJP for still not finding Rajasthan chief

Jaipur, June 16 (IANS) The Congress on Saturday mocked Rajasthan’s ruling BJP for failing to zero in on its new state unit chief, quipping that its “Eid ka Chand” (new moon signifying Eid) was yet to appear.

“Everybody is happy celebrating Eid today (on Saturday) as ‘Eid ka Chand’ has appeared, but the situation is different for BJP. Their ‘Eid ka Chand’ has still not risen,” state Congress Vice President Archana Sharma told IANS.

“It’s been 60 days when Ashok Parnami resigned from the post on April 16. But after making so many visits to Delhi, they still have not found a right name for the post which is a very sad situation for BJP,” she said, claiming that this was “the first time in the political history of India that a party is functioning without its state head for two months”.

However, Sharma claimed that this situation will benefit Congress as it is helping her party building its trust among people when BJP continues portraying itself as a confused party even as assembly elections approach.

Speaking to IANS, state Congress chief Sachin Pilot said that it is sad to see Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje sitting in Delhi for last three days but still not being able to finalise a name.

He also termed it “sad” that now the BJP is doing calculations on caste considerations to choose the most ‘eligible’ person for the post, “which yet again portrays its piteous situation”. “This is the same party which enjoys 2/3rd majority in state. Despite this fact, they are unable to zero in on one name. I think at this point of time, none of the leaders will be willing to take up the opportunity as the elections are approaching and the standing of the party looks shaky,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior RSS leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, held that they are glad that BJP’s central leadership has taken a tough stand on state party’s functioning this time. Had this been done earlier, the party might have had a strong standing in the state, he added.

The central leadership has decided on Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, but Raje objects to him and is seeking a president of her choice to ensure smooth ticket distribution for the forthcoming assembly elections.